How do we sustain

SUSTAINABILITY

The 1987 UN Conference defined sustainable developments as those that "meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs"(WECD, 1987). Every non-governmental, non-profit organisation aims at designing and achieving such sustainable goals. Their social welfare objectives when finely tuned with sustainable means and process, ensure for a cyclical and self-renewing possibilites.

Understanding the necessity and effectiveness of sustainable and self-generative methods, Khushii from the very beginning attempted to work through similar mechanisms, avoiding any minutest of loopholes that could hold its efforts back. We did not even give ourselves an option of governmental funding. Realising the umpteen number of non-profits

cropping up, (their numbers being estimated to be around 3.3 million in 2009), we did not feel it best to pile another organisation's existence onto the government.

Started by luminaries from distinct fields, the brains behind Khushii recognised the need for sustainable processes that would ensure continuous social and financial sustainence for our projects and our own operations and administration. Our first step in the direction was in the form of a fundraiser 'Score with a Smile', a charity cricket match with elements of music, dance and fashion roped in. A huge success, this initiative gave us the much needed encouragement and courage to keep ourselves focused, and moving slow yet steady in our efforts.

KHUSHII NOW

That was one spirited day, and now seven years down, Khushii proudly looks back and feels humble and at peace knowing that its efforts are reaping benefits for so many across the country. The journey was not all that easy, we stumbled and did face numerous challenges throughout, but with each others support, didnot let our hopes and aspirations crumble. Tough moments came and amany, but we couldnt help and take them as our stepping stones, learning and reworking our strategies.

Having run projects across states and in diverse areas of concern, we today stand confident in taking bigger and bolder steps. Today Khushii stands with dual identities, one of KHUSHII with which it started and evolved, and two of WORLD ACTION FORUM its way forward in aiding other credible social set ups in India.

Under World Action Forum, Khushii and numerous other member NGOs, funding agencies and corporate entities will work hand in hand in nine well defined mandates of - Agriculture & Rural Development; Art, Culture & Sports; Disability; Education; Employabilty & Skill Development; Environment; Healthcare; Senior Citizen Assist; and Social Entrepreneurship.

To support the operations under these mandates, we deviced two mechanisms, 'Individual Donor Consortium' and 'Buy Blue'. As the name suggests, IDC will aim to generate funds through individual donations, working around the core value of 'every drop makes an ocean'. Buy Blue on the other hand will tie up with corporates in goods and services industry, and motivate them to become stakeholders in our efforts under World Action Forum.